The Valorization of Berry Pomace – Opportunities for the Mountainous Area

Berry pomace is a significant source of fiber and bioactive compounds. Its valorization forcreating high-value products presents an opportunity for mountainous areas, bothenvironmentally and economically. This review paper aims to highlight the chemicalcomposition of pomace from various berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, andcranberries), as well as identify its health benefits and applications based on studies from thespecialized literature. Scientific articles from databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, andGoogle Scholar were reviewed. The findings indicate that berry pomace is rich in polyphenols,fat- and water-soluble vitamins, soluble and insoluble fibers, carotenoids, anthocyanins, andmore, depending on the species. Dietary fiber in berry pomace contributes to proper digestivesystem function. Polyphenols and certain vitamins play a key role in protecting againstoxidative stress. Additionally, berry pomace has demonstrated anti-inflammatory andantimicrobial effects due to its rich composition of phenolic compounds. Berry pomace can beused as an ingredient in the food industry, a substrate for microbial substance production, afortifier for cosmetic products, and for developing pharmaceutical preparations. This highlightsthe potential of these by-products for higher-value utilization, which could lead to adiversification of mountain-specific product assortments and beyond.